I just got notified by Popular Photography that they've picked a photo of mine for their Photo Challenge monthly article for June (they're covering backlighting challenges, so apparently this image fits their needs). I'm not tooting a horn, that email blew my socks off, I've never been in any magazine before. That's where I need advice: they're asking for the "high-resolution" for print, no other specifics. I know they use offset printing, so what color space and format and file type do I send? I'm thinking AdobeRGB in a JPEG file at full size, but does that convert to CMYK well, which I imagine they do? Also, do I sharpen it like I'm printing to my Canon 9000, or let them sharpen?
Any advice is MUCH appreciated, I'm figuring there are things to know when submitting to mags and I don't want to blow this.
Unless you were given specific instructions, you should be safe sending a flattened 8-bit TIFF in sRGB with little or no sharpening. For file size, I would recommend 8x12 at 300ppi. This will give them a lot of flexibility to fit into the page layout.
First of all, congratulations on having one of your images selected for publication! It's a wonderful image and great illustration of back lighting.
Guy's advice is sound and should cover most all requirements. But I'll throw this in too. Any reason why you just don't reply to the email and ask for the requirements? Can I assume that you've also seen something that explains the usage rights? Or was that explained up front when you submitted your original image for selection? Just thinking outloud here. But I don't see why you can't ask for the requirements.
Lon, I actually did reply and ask that, but I figured that their offices would be closed since it was after 5pm back there, and me and my Type A thick head was bent on getting the shot sent out and done tonight, lol! But even more, I wanted to hear from the pros on NPN about what they know, because sometimes the photographer and the editor don't always agree. Truth be told, I had seen Guy's work last year in an article that PP published of his, and the images looked great, so I did send him a note asking for his recipe which he kindly gave!
Interesting note: after Guy posted his answer I did get a reply email from the PP rep, and she said send the full 21mp in AdobeRGB as a JPEG. See? Not the same, lol!
Usage rights were clearly explained on their webpage before you submit along with how much they pay depending on how they use it (cover, Your Best Shot, etc). You do agree to give them rights to use it in their own promotion when you submit. I decided to do it once: submit an image for exposure in a major publication knowing compensation isn't earth-shattering. If they used it, great, if not, well, I tried. I'm not a young guy but I'm a young photographer in a sense, so right now I'm satisfied with the excitement if that makes any sense.
Very nice photograph and congrats on having it selected by Pop Photo!
In my experience, when a magazine asks for a hi res file, what they typically need is 300ppi, AdobeRGB. Often they will specify size, but if not l usually send a size that would cover a full page. Some capture sharpening is okay, but the output sharpening needs to be done by the magazine's production people after all resizing and converting to CMYK. A jpeg file is fine, as long as saved at highest level (12 in Photoshop).
Gorgeous image Paul. I had the great experience of getting published in PoP Photo as well and it is a greathonor so Congratulations to you. As stated I have sent the full 300 dpi image Tiff or jpeg
Discussion
20 repliesAny advice is MUCH appreciated, I'm figuring there are things to know when submitting to mags and I don't want to blow this.
Thanks!
Unless you were given specific instructions, you should be safe sending a flattened 8-bit TIFF in sRGB with little or no sharpening. For file size, I would recommend 8x12 at 300ppi. This will give them a lot of flexibility to fit into the page layout.
Guy
First of all, congratulations on having one of your images selected for publication! It's a wonderful image and great illustration of back lighting.
Guy's advice is sound and should cover most all requirements. But I'll throw this in too. Any reason why you just don't reply to the email and ask for the requirements? Can I assume that you've also seen something that explains the usage rights? Or was that explained up front when you submitted your original image for selection? Just thinking outloud here. But I don't see why you can't ask for the requirements.
Lon
Lon, I actually did reply and ask that, but I figured that their offices would be closed since it was after 5pm back there, and me and my Type A thick head was bent on getting the shot sent out and done tonight, lol! But even more, I wanted to hear from the pros on NPN about what they know, because sometimes the photographer and the editor don't always agree. Truth be told, I had seen Guy's work last year in an article that PP published of his, and the images looked great, so I did send him a note asking for his recipe which he kindly gave!
Interesting note: after Guy posted his answer I did get a reply email from the PP rep, and she said send the full 21mp in AdobeRGB as a JPEG. See? Not the same, lol!
Usage rights were clearly explained on their webpage before you submit along with how much they pay depending on how they use it (cover, Your Best Shot, etc). You do agree to give them rights to use it in their own promotion when you submit. I decided to do it once: submit an image for exposure in a major publication knowing compensation isn't earth-shattering. If they used it, great, if not, well, I tried. I'm not a young guy but I'm a young photographer in a sense, so right now I'm satisfied with the excitement if that makes any sense.
Sandy
In my experience, when a magazine asks for a hi res file, what they typically need is 300ppi, AdobeRGB. Often they will specify size, but if not l usually send a size that would cover a full page. Some capture sharpening is okay, but the output sharpening needs to be done by the magazine's production people after all resizing and converting to CMYK. A jpeg file is fine, as long as saved at highest level (12 in Photoshop).
Thanks for the info, everyone.